Mission in Tanzania: How You Can Help
With only one neurosurgeon per 9 million people, East Africa simply does not have the ability to provide care for patients with traumatic brain and spine injuries, central nervous system infections, or serious birth defects such as hydrocephalus. Thousands of people in East Africa lose their lives or become disabled each year because of this lack of resources. For the past several years, doctors and nurses from the Cornell Neurosurgery Mission in Tanzania have been taking action to improve this heartbreaking situation.
Established in 2008 by Roger Härtl, M.D., the Mission in Tanzania provides medical training and education for physicians and other medical personnel in this East African nation. The mission's work is rooted in a philosophy that humanitarian aid without training creates dependence, whereas training and education foster independence and dignity Š and sustainable care.
Four missions have already provided vital training for doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel at Bugando Hospital, a regional center that serves 14 million people. Through the Cornell missions, local surgeons have received training in spinal instrumentation surgery and in craniotomy for trauma. They are already using this new knowledge to operate on children and adults in the region, with very good surgical outcomes.
How You Can Help
The Mission in Tanzania team will be returning to Bugando Hospital in November 2011 to perform surgeries and to continue the training of hospital staff in additional neurosurgical techniques. WonÕt you help us provide these desperately needed services? The cost of one surgery in that country is just $250 to $300. Gifts of any size are welcome, and will directly support the costs associated with training the surgical team and preventing disability and death. All gifts are 100% tax-deductible, and you can make your donation by check or by a secure online credit card transaction.
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